As a passionate chef within Sodexo, it is my job to ensure we create great culinary experiences that delight people. For me, food is a conversation starter and is often at the heart of our social interactions. This is why I felt it was so important that the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation moved beyond providing grants to our charity partners and started to help them to deliver the support to their clients. By volunteering, as well as giving grants, we build social interaction between our colleagues, our partner charities and, the people and families in crisis. This social action allows us to create greater connections with our communities along the way.

I am really pleased to see that so many Sodexo employees have taken up the call to volunteer. In fact, hundreds of our employees volunteered over the summer months and we want to build on that great start. For my part, I spent the day with FareShare in south London earlier this month.

The experience was both rewarding and humbling in so many ways. We had a unique opportunity to work alongside the team from Fareshare, most of whom are volunteers, and to learn from them on a first hand basis as we travelled across London dropping produce to a wide range of charities. Everything we distributed went to people who needed help; assistance and specifically fresh delicious produce.

I volunteered with colleagues as well as with two amazing young students from Lakefield Training College. We had a thoroughly fulfilling day and I would invite you all to get involved and make time to do this – you won’t be disappointed.

To find out more about my experience have a look at this short film

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If this film inspired you, then keep reading…

Right now, the Stop Hunger team is recruiting volunteers for the Christmas Food Collection in collaboration with FareShare and Trussell Trust. The Collection is taking place on 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December at Tesco’s across the country and needs hundreds of volunteers to feed people for Christmas and beyond. The shifts are three hours long and you will be working as a member of a team of three. Your role will be to invite customers to pick up a few extra items in their shopping trolley that they would then donate to the food drive collection. All of the donated items are then sent on to FareShare and Trussell Trust for distribution. As part of the donation Tesco add a financial top up of 30% of the value of donations as a gift to Trussell Trust and FareShare.

To find out more and book your place please visit the following links: